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March 3, 1964 H. w. GRISWOLD ABSORBENT DRESSING Original Filed July 16, 1956 INVENTOR United States Patent Ofi Patented Mar. 3, 196% ice 3,123,976 AESGRBENT DRESSENG Hector W1 Griswold, Princeton, N.J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick,

NJ, a corporation or" New .lersey Continuation of application Ser. No. 5%,192, July 16,

1956. This application May 21, 1962, Ser. No. 196,257 16 Claims. (81. 128-299) The present invention relates to absorbent dressings, more particularly to absorbent dressings or pads, such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, bed pads, wound dressings, etc., which are worn or used next to the skin in sensitive areas of the human body. In general, these dressings are of the type which comprises an absorbent core or layer covered with a permeable facing material.

This application is a continuation of my co-pending application, Serial No. 593,192, filed July 16, 1956, which in turn was a continuation-in-part of my then co-pending but now abandoned application, Serial No. 505,394, filed May 2, 1955.

Heretofore, dressings of this type have been covered with woven materials such as gauze, bonded nonwoven webs, or similar materials. When worn next to the skin in a sensitive area, for example, as a sanitary napkin, a dressing covered with gauze or a similar fabric tends to chafe the wearer. This is due in part to the inherent roughness of the open woven structure of the fabric, and in part to the sleaziness of the gauze which allows yarns running in the same direction to bunch or rope as the pad or dressing is stretched or worked during use. In general, the aforementioned bonded nonwoven webs comprise textile-type fibers more or less flatly assembled and randomly arranged in intersecting relation with one another with the result that only very small, more or less irregular and non-uniform interstices are apparent between the fibers. They may be soft and smooth if loosely assembled or not too densely compacted. However, due to the relatively flat surface and the small and irregular interstices presented by this type of material, the cover tends to feel wet during use as a sanitary napkin or diaper, for instance. Apparently, the cover offers a more or less continuous wet layer in contact with the wearer and retains fluid or wet material, such as menstrual fluid, at or on its surface, with greater concentrations in some regions than in others.

The present invention contemplates an absorbent dressing, such as a sanitary napkin, covered with an extremely permeable, open, nonwoven fabric which is softer, smoother, and considerably less expensive than gauze. This cover fabric comprises fibers arranged to define a multiplicity of spaced holes and groups of fiber segments between these holes. The groups of fiber segments are interconnected by fibers extending from group to group at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric. The fiber segments in the groups are relatively parallelized with respect to one another and more closely assembled than at the junctures. Preferably, the holes are of substantially uniform size and shape and are arranged in a uniform predetermined pattern with the fiber groupings also arranged in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pattern of holes, throughout the cover fabric. The fiber segments in the groups are closely associated and parallelized along the axes of the groups so that the groups resemble spun yarns. In fact the segments are so closely arranged in overlapping relationship about the axes of the groups that the groups possess yarn-like thickness and are generally oval in cross section.

The resulting cover is flat and soft. The fiber groupings do not pass over one another forming projections where they intersect as in a woven fabric, but extend in various directions generally in the plane of the cover and connect with one another at junctures which lie in the same plane. Since the fiber groupings are connected at the junctures, the cover is stable rather than sleazy and cant rope as gauze does. The cover fabric is uniformly and highly permeable throughout due to the substantially regular pattern of holes it contains and possesses substantially uniform moisture conducting power along the cover due to the parallel arrangement of the fibers in the groupings, thereby quickly and uniformly delivering menstrual fluid and the like to the absorbent core of the dressing and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of the fluid into the core.

The fiber groupings themselves possess thickness through the fabric with the result that the wearer primarily will contact the cover rather than the absorbent core or interior of the dressing through the holes in the cover. The cover does not present a continuous fibrous surface which will feel wet, as in the case of the prior art dressings covered with the bonded webs referred to hereinbefore.

In the forarninous cover formed by the interconnected fiber groupings in accordance with the invention, the fibers lie in a state of mechanical equilibrium. In this state, the fibers are mechanically engaged both frictionally and/ or by interlocking, to the extent that the arrangement of the fibers is one of equilibrium. As a result, the moisture absorptive and conducting properties of the cover are improved and the moisture retentive properties minimized. Thus, the menstrual fluid and the like is quickly delivered to the absorbent core and is quickly taken up thereby. Generally speaking, the frictional engagement and interlocking between the fibers in the groupings while contributing strength to the cover, is insuflicient in itself to provide suflicient strength for the present use. Therefore, it is desirable to strengthen the fabric in some way. For instance, an adhesive binding material or binder may be applied by means such as printing or impregnation.

Advantages of the invention other than those generally described above will be apparent from the following description and claims taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away isometric view of a sanitary napkin according to this invention having a typical portion of its cover shown encircled and enlarged;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged schematic plan view of the encircled portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 3 showing a corresponding portion of a prior art absorbent dressing covered with an open woven material, such as gauze;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic sectional View along the line 55 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 3 showing a corresponding portion of a prior art absorbent dressing covered with a bonded nonwoven web.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an absorbent dressing in the form of a sanitary nap-kin which comprises an absorbent core or layer ll covered with an open, ,ermeable, nonwoven fabric 1'2. The core or absorbent layer 11 may comprise any material capable of distributing the fluids to be absorbed in the pad. For instance, it may comprise a layer of comminuted material such as flutfed woodpulp or it may be laminated and consist of several layers of creped cellulose, or it may be a mixture of these. While a rectangular pad having a rectangular cross section is shown, the pad may be of most any shape suited to the purposes for which it is intended. Spec'im internal constructions, not shown, may be employed to distribute or channel the flow of liquids inside the dressing, and the absorbent core, or layer, first may be wrapped with an inner cover of absorbent material, also not shown, such as creped cellulose, and then with the aforementioned permeable, nonwoven outer cover.

Re rring to PEG. 3, there is shown an enlarged portion of the face or cover of the napkin of FIG. 1, 13 in PEG. 1. The nonwoven cover comprises fibers arranged to define a multiplicity of holes 14. Preferably the holes are of substantially uniform size and shape, round, square, triangular, etc., and are arranged in a predetermined pattern. The absorbent core 11 can be seen through the holes.

The fibers in the cover lie in interconnected groups 15 of fiber segments which in turn are connected at junctures 16, wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions. The fiber segments in the groups 15 are closely associated and more parallelized than the fibers at the junctures 16 with the result that the groups appear yar-n like in appearance and in thickness. in the embodiment shown, the groups 15 are interconnected in a square reticular pattern corresponding generally to the pattern of the holes 14-. The fiber groups extend at ap roximately 90 and 180 degrees to one another and, except where there is an irregularity in the fabric, four groups come together at each juncture, with the result that fabric is gauze-like in appearance. The fiber groups 15 are connected by fibers extending from one to another in such a way that they are common to a plurality of groups. It is preferred that the average length of the fibers be considerably greater than the lengths of the groups containing them, with the result that the groups predominantly comprise only parts or segments of the fibers passing through them.

in FIGS. 1 and 3, the interconnecting groups 15 are arranged in a pattern of intersecting parallel lines or strips extending approximately at 90 and 180 degrees to one another and in the direction of the length and the width of the napkin. Thus, extension of the cover 12 lengthwise of the napkin will be resisted by the groups is aligned in that direction and extension of the cover widthwise will be resisted by the groups aligned widthwise. To provide increased extensibility of the cover laterally, or widthwise of the napkin, the fabric of FIG- URE 3 may be wrapped about the napkin on the bias, i.e., with the groups 15 extending, not in the direction of the length of the napkin or at 90 degrees thereto, but diagonally or inclined at a substantial angle, both to the length, and to the width of the napkin or dressing. Preferably, for increased extensibility, the groups are illclined at a substantial acute angle, such as 45 degrees, to the length of the pad. This allows the cover to be fitt d snugly around the core in such a way that the cover will be particularly extensible and adjust itself to changes in the shape of the napkin which may occur during use.

This bias effect may be varied by varying the pattern in which the holes 14 and the interconnected groups are arranged. For instance, the groups may be arranged in parallel lines or strips intersecting one another in such a way as to form a diamond pattern with the diamonds having a longer axis in one direction than the other. In general, the longer the axes of the diamonds in the direction of the length of the napkin, the greater will be the extensibility of the cover widthwise of the napkin.

The holes 14 are distinct and substantially free of fibers. Most of the fiber segments bordering the holes extend in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of their perimeterns. That is to say, they extend around the holes and do not present ends adjacent their perimeters. In general, the tighter the fiber groupings are formed, the more clearly defined will be the openings between them. lt may be advantageous in a sanitary napkin that the cover have a fuzzy appearance. Free fiber segments extending from the main structure of fiber groupings into or across the holes may give this effect.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the fibers in the groupings 15 are in mechanical engagement With one another to the extent that the fabric structure is in mechanical equilibrium. The fibers are in frictional engagement with one another and their bent or curled configurations are ontangled or interlocked and resist separation. in general, the frictional engagement and interlocking between the fibers is greater when they lie in groupings which are more yarn-like. In other words, both frictional engagement and interlocking are a function of the tightness or looseness of the fiber groupings. Obviously, the longer the fibers the more segments there will be in frictional engagement and the more bends or curls will be entangled Thus, the strength of the cover is a function of fiber length as Well as other variables.

The fi er segments in the fiber groupings may be substantially parallelized and closely associated or consolidated about the axes of the groupings to the extent that they appear to be in substantial contact with one another along their length when viewed by the naked eye or under a microscope at low magnifications. The segments may be so closely arranged in overlapping relationship about the axes of the groups that the groups possess yarn-like thickness and generally are generally oval in cross section.

The fiber groupings in the cover he more or less in the plane of the cover and are interconnected at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse direc-' tions also substantially in the plane of the cover. Thus,

the cover is relatively smooth. in general, it tends to be quite soft due to its fibrous structure. Thus, an absorbent smooth due to the fiat fibrous nature of its cover. Liquids and fluids containing solids pass readily through the openings in the cover. Since the fiat inner faces of the cover are in contact with the fiat surfaces of the absorbent core, as indicated in FIG. 2, the menstrual fluid which passes through the cover is quickly delivered to the core and is taken up thereby, as previously indicated. The fluids may be distributed uniformly throughout the pad by the uniformi y of construction of the pad and by the capillary effect of the parallel fibers in the fiber groupings. Since the fibers in the cover are closely assembled and parallelized in the groups 15, they tend to cooperate to resist tearing of the cover. are connected by common fibers extending through the junctures 16, the cover resists deformation and is stable, tending to retain its smoothness and permeability.

In contrast to dressings according to this invention, there is illustrated in 16$. 4 and 5 a prior art dressing covered with a woven gauze. The overlapping and intersecting yarns 18 of the gauze form protruding portions or projections 19 where the yarns passing in one direction cross over those extending in the other direction. These projections tend to cause chafing in sensitive areas. The yarns themselves are densely assembled, cable-like members which are not interconnected where they cross but are held in position by the interlaced nature of the woven structure. Due to the inherent sleaziness of this structure, the yarns extending in one direction are able to bunch as shown at 21, which they will do when the pad is stretched or compressed during use. This bunching accentuates the chafing caused by the protruding portions of the overlapping yarns and deleteriously afiects the ability of the cover to absorb and distribute moisture.

in FIG. 6 there is shown a prior art dressing covered with a bonded, nonwoven fibrous web. This web cornprises overlapping intersecting fibers which are closely assembled, defining only relatively small interstices between them. For normal web weights, these interstices may be very small. Obviously, this cover is much less permeable than the open nonwoven structure of the cover of this invention. a

Cover fabrics for dressings according to this invention may be made from natural fibers such as fibers of cotton, Wood, wool, jute, ramie, or abaca; or artificial fibers of Also, since the fiber groupings 15 g viscose rayon, cuprammonium rayon, cellulose acetate, nylon, dynel, or other materials, alone or in combination with one another. While relatively long textile-type fibers above normal papermaking lengths, of close to normal textile length or over, say of about inch to 2 inches or longer, are advantageous from the standpoint of strength, shorter fibers, below inch in length, within the paper range, may be used. It is advantageous that the shorter papermaking fibers be unbeaten or substantially unhydrated if a textile-like cover is desired. Shorter fibers of woodpulp, for instance, may be mixed with longer L-ers in such a way that the longer fibers will predominate in holding the web together and the use of shorter fibers will decrease the cost of the web.

Cover fabrics according to this invention may be made by the method and apparatus shown and described in de tail and claimed in Kalwaites Patent No. 2,862,251, granted December 2, 1958. They may also be made in accordance with the teachings of Griswold Patent 3,081,- 514, granted March 19, 1963, on application Serial No. 503,871, filed April 26, 1955, as a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 437,119, filed June 16, 1954; and Griswold et al. Patent 3,081,515, granted March 19, 1963, on application Serial No. 503,872, filed April 26, 1955, as a continuation-in-part of applications Serial Nos. 437,037 and 437,038, both filed June 16, 1954. Serial No. 437,837 is now abandoned.

Having now described the invention in specific detail and exemplified the manner in which it may be carried into practice, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that innumerable variations, applications, modifications, and extensions of the basic principles involved may be made without departing from its spirit or scope.

For instance, while sanitary napkins, diapers, bed pads,

and wound dressings, have been referred to specifically herein, absorbent pads or dressings according to this inention may have many other uses and applications that will be apparent to the slzi led artisan. While a gauzelilze cover wherein the holes and fiber groupings are arranged in a square pattern has been shown and specifically described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the holes and fiber groupings may be arranged in any number of different patterns according to this invention. For instance, the groups may extend approximately at 120 to one another with the holes arranged as on the points of a diamond, or they may be arranged in an irregular pattern, or a regular pattern with repeating irregular areas. I claim: 1. A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent core and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover mapped around the core, the cover being flat on both sides and possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the fiat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly regular and uniformly spaced holes arranged in a predetermined pattern and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary efiect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, said cover having appreciable depth and said holes extending through the depth of the cover, the fiber segments bordering the holes being in substantial parallelism With corresponding portions of the pen'meters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane.

2. An absorbent pad comprising an absorbent core and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being fiat on both sides and possessing moisture conducting power and oficring substantially no resistance to the fiow of fluid into the core throughout the fiat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantlally uniformly regular and uniformly spaced holes and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effeet with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, said holes extending through the depth of the cover and being substantially free of fibers, the fiber segments bordering the holes being in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at juncture-s wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane, the fibers in the cover being in mechanical engagement with one another and in mechanical equilibrium therein.

3. An absorbent pad comprising an absorbent core and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being flat on both sides and possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the flat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly spaced holes and yarn-like groups of closely associated and substantially parallelized fiber segments between said holes, said groups being generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, the fiber segments bordeni-ng the holes being in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures Wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane.

4. A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent core and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover Wrapped around the core, the cover being flat on both sides and possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the flat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers of the class consisting of textile-type fibers averaging at least about inch in length, unbeaten papermaking fibers, and mixtures thereof, said fibers being oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially regularly spaced holes arranged in a predetermined pattern and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said holes extending through the depth of the cover and said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, the fiber segments bordering the holes being in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plunality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said juncturcs each lying in the same general plane.

5. An elongated sanitary napkin comprising an ab sorbenit core and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being flat on both sides and possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the fiow of fluid into the core throughout the fiat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly regular and uniformly spaced holes and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said groups being of yarnlike thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane and said groups being interconnected in a predetermined diamond pattern of intersecting parallel lines, said cover being arranged on the napkin so that the axes of the diamonds extend longitudinally and transversely of the napkin.

6. A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent core having top and bottom fiat surfaces and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being fiat on the inside and on the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces of said cover adjacent the top and bottom flat surfaces of the core being in contact throughout the areas thereof, said cover possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the flat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly regular and uniformly spaced holes arranged in a predetermined pattern and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, said cover having appreciable depth and said holes extending through the depth of the cover, the fiber segments bordering the holes being in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane.

7. An absorbent pad comprising an absorbent core having top and bottom flat surfaces and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being flat on the inside and on the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces of said cover adjacent the top and bottom fiat surfaces of the core being in contact throughout the areas thereof, said cover possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the fiat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly regular and uniformly spaced holes and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, said holes extending through the depth of the cover and being substantially free of fibers, the fiber segments bordering the holes being substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane, the fibers in the cover being in mechanical engagement with one another and in mechanical equilibrium therein.

8. An absorbent pad comprising an absorbent core having top and bottom flat surfaces and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being flat on the inside and on the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces of said cover adjacent the top and bottom flat surfaces of the core being in contact throughout the areas thereof, said cover possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the fiat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly spaced holes and yarn-like groups of closely associated and substantially parallelized fiber segments between said holes, said groups being generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, the fiber segments bordering the holes being in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane.

9. A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent core having top and bottom fiat surfaces and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover Wrapped around the core, the cover being fiat on the inside and on the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces of said cover adjacent the top and bottom flat surfaces of the core being in contact throughout the areas thereof, said cover possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the flat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers of the class consistin of textile-type fibers averaging at least about 4 inch in length, unbeaten papermaking fibers, and mixtures thereof, said fibers being oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially regularly spaced holes arranged in a predetermined pattern and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said holes extending through the depth of the cover and said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, the fiber segments bordering the holes being in substantial parallelism with corresponding portions of the perimeters of the holes, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane.

10. An elongated sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent core having top and bottom flat surfaces and a highly permeable, soft and stable nonwoven fabric cover wrapped around the core, the cover being flat on the inside and on the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces of said cover adjacent the top and bottom fiat surfaces of the core being in contact throughout the areas thereof,

said cover possessing moisture conducting power and offering substantially no resistance to the flow of fluid into the core throughout the flat sides of said cover, said cover comprising fibers oriented to define a multiplicity of substantially uniformly regular and uniformly spaced holes and groups of closely associated fiber segments between said holes, said groups being of yarn-like thickness and generally oval in cross section and having a capillary effect with respect to the core in the direction of extension of the fiber segments, said groups being interconnected by fibers common to a plurality of groups at junctures wherein the fibers extend in a plurality of diverse directions substantially in the plane of the fabric, said groups and said junctures each lying in the same general plane and said groups being interconnected'in a predtermined diamond pattern of intersecting parallel lines, said cover being arranged on the napkin so that the axes of the diamonds extend longitudinally and trans versely of the napkin.

References tilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,003,487 Mi ler-Jones Sept. 19, 1911 1,453,575 Tong et al. May 1, 1923 2,697,678 Ness et al. Dec. 21, 1954 2,705,497 Johnson et al. Apr. 5, 1955 2,705,687 Petterson Apr. 5, 1955 2,705,692 Petterson Apr. 5, 1955 2,862,251 Kalwaites Dec. 2, 1958 

1. A SANITARY NAPKIN COMPRISING AN ABSORBENT CORE AND A HIGHLY PERMEABLE, SOFT AND STABLE NONWOVEN FABRIC COVER WRAPPED AROUND THE CORE, THE COVER BEING FLAT ON BOTH SIDES AND POSSESSING MOISTURE CONDUCTING POWER AND OFFERING SUBSTANTIALLY NO RESISTANCE TO THE FLOW OF FLUID INTO THE CORE THROUGHOUT THE FLAT SIDES OF SAID COVER, SAID COVER COMPRISING FIBERS ORIENTED TO DEFINE A MULTIPLICITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY REGULAR AND UNIFORMLY SPACED HOLES ARRANGED IN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN AND GROUPS OF CLOSELY ASSOCIATED FIBER SEGMENTS BETWEEN SAID HOLES, SAID GROUPS BEING OF YARN-LIKE THICKNESS AND GENERALLY OVAL IN CROSS SECTION AND HAVING A CAPILLARY EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE CORE IN THE DIRECTION OF EXTENSION OF THE FIBER SEGMENTS, SAID COVER HAVING APPRECIABLE DEPTH AND SAID HOLES EXTENDING THROUGH THE DEPTH OF THE COVER, THE FIBER SEGMENTS BORDERING THE HOLES BEING IN SUBSTANTIAL PARALLELISM WITH CORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF THE PERIMETERS OF THE HOLES, SAID GROUPS BEING INTERCONNECTED BY FIBERS COMMON TO A PLURALITY OF GROUPS AT JUNCTURES WHEREIN THE FIBERS EXTEND IN A PLURALITY OF DIVERSE DIRECTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLANE OF THE FABRIC, SAID GROUPS AND SAID JUNCTURES EACH LYING IN THE SAME GENERAL PLANE. 